Axiotron ModBook Review

AXIOTRON MODBOOK REVIEW

A moment ago I was lying on the couch watching a movie. About an hour before that, I was sitting on the back porch listening to the rain… and taking the horse/dog potty. A couple of weeks ago I was on a plane headed to San Diego Comic-Con. What do those events and locations have in common?  I was also working: Penciling, inking, coloring, lettering, painting; anything the job calls for and with no limitations.  I was using my Axiotron ModBook.

Now, though it will be tough, I will try to give an unbiased review here. I’ll try to look at pros AND cons. And I will try with all my might to limit the number of “AWESOMES!!” I use in describing the Axiotron ModBook.

PROS:
IT’S AWESOME!!!!  Oh, whoops. Sorry. I said I’d watch that, didn’t I? Right. Okay…

ON SCREEN: You draw/color/paint on the screen! Okay, that’s a given, but really only the Cintiq, Modbook, a few Tablet PCs do this, so it’s a huge con for any Wacom tablet and Mac users. I used a Wacom tablet for years and it was great. Thought everything was perfect. I didn’t realize how much I was missing from the whole creative experience until after I got the Modbook.

PORTABILITY: Now, this is a big one. Something that the Cintiq just doesn’t have. For years, I was lugging around my iBook and Intuos II tablet and trying to work on the road and be portable. Or even just sitting on the couch or doing a bit of work before sleepy-time. It worked okay, but was always a hassle trying to get things set up and not have everything falling off my lap in the car or in a plane.

The Modbook feels like I’m carrying around a sketchbook with all the power and versatility of computer technology and software.

SPEED:
I didn’t think I could go much faster than I was with as comfortable as I was with the Wacom tablet set up I had before, but I was wrong. I move a LOT faster now and the ModBook paid for itself within a couple of months.

CONVERT YOUR MACBOOK:
If you currently have a MacBook, you can send it to Axiotron and pay to have it remodeled to be a ModBook. That’s awesome! Not sure on price, but I think around $1200. Double-check that before you send hate mail.

ON-SCREEN KEYBOARD:
If you really want to feel like you’re just using a sketchbook, don’t even bother with a plug-in or Bluetooth keyboard, because it has one on screen with the click of a pen button. Not great for writing a novel, obviously, but will do what you need otherwise. But, if you’re a key command junkie like me and like to move fast, there are plenty of other portable keyboard options available. I use a super-thin and small Bluetooth keyboard.

SOFTWARE:
With your purchase, you can get Sketchbook Express, which is a very cool program I believe was created for the ModBook because it works perfectly with the system; all tools and settings on-screen and easy to adjust. Also, just saw this great looking new Storyboard Pro, which is super-expensive, but looks like it would be great if that is your main pursuit/interest. And, of course, you can use any other software like Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.

OTHER STUFF: It’s got great backlit screen that doesn’t warp color, GPS capabilities, Bluetooth capabilities, it’s enhanced with some kind of airplane alloy stuff (all technical terms, people) to make it really tough.

Note: It IS a computer. A lot of people ask me if it plugs into a desktop/laptop. No. It is a computer (and a powerful one) all by itself. Has all the ports, DVD/DVD-RW drive, etc. Just like anything else. It’s a computer that you draw on.

CONS?? … no … WORRIES!  Umm … well…. Okay, how about worries that people have. I’ve been asked about a few things that should be cleared up.

PRESSURE SENSITITY:
Yes, the Cintiq has 1024 pressure sensors and the Modbook only has 512. But was using a 1024 tablet for years, switched to Modbook and see no difference.  However, I can’t tilt the pen to get some of the fx I used to get. Wish I could, but it hasn’t slowed me down.

However, the newer model of the Modbook does have these features and more! Like being able to turn the orientation just like an iPhone to draw vertically. Wish I had that on mine!! And there are tons of other things. So, really, go check it out, if you can get your hands on one to play with, do it!! For example, I tried it out at San Diego Comic-Con a few years back and it blew my brains out! So, keep an eye out at any of the bigger cons. Or, if I’m there, come by my table and I’ll let you try it out.

PEN TO SCREEN GAP:
I was worried about this, too, but don’t fret. The thing I didn’t realize is that you can calibrate your screen to where your eyes comfortably see, so that it will always look like your pen point matches the screen crosshairs/pointer/brush, etc. Plus, after a while, just as with the gap from Wacom tablet to screen, you’ll forget it’s even there.

NIBS:
You don’t have to, but the nibs I use are “felt tips” so they’re a little softer. I might be doing this because I’m paranoid. My Wacom got so scarred up from the regular hard nibs that it became unusable and I had to order new covers. I don’t want to risk this, so I use the slightly softer ones. Probably is, they squish after a while. Of course, they’re super cheap (cents not dollars) and easy to replace, so no biggie. I don’t think you can destroy the screen, but just in case, they do make this super-cover coating thing (more technical terms) for iPhones, Blackberry’s, laptops, and, yes, the ModBook. You’ll have to Google that, but I don’t remember it being very expensive.

HEAT:
Does it get hot? Yes, just like any computer sitting in your lap would. I think because it feels like drawing in a sketchbook, people (including me) feel it shouldn’t get hot, but that’s just a reality of hardware. But, really, it’s not bad. Unless it’s a hot day, you probably won’t notice too bad unless it’s perfectly flat against your skin. Most of the time I have a little cooling pad, or even a book would be fine. You’ll figure it out. Not something to keep you from getting one. And the newer model is said to be much cooler anyway. I use a simple USB dual-fan cooling pad. Have the time I forget to plug it in and still don’t notice the heat. It does get up to over 100 degrees in Kansas. On those days I feel it a bit more. No biggie.

WEIGHT:
Is it heavy? Not unless you’re a wuss. Kidding! Didn’t mean that. It has weight to it, but it doesn’t seem heavier than my iBook did, and I don’t need to lug around a Wacom tablet, too, so that’s lighter in that way. Really, though, I carrying it and hold it comfortably while I draw all the time and don’t notice it.

CONCLUSION:
The Axiotron Modbook is AWESOME! And any worries you might have right now are probably just the same as the ones I had, which is why I procrastinated buying one (actually a wonderful gift from my wife!). Forget the worries and just get one! You’ll thank yourself and if you’re a self-motivated artist, it will pay for itself in no time. Modbook Website: http://www.Axiotron.com

Insider Tip: Sometimes the screen doesn’t register the pen. But, there is a button next to the power button for that. You hold it for a few seconds until the blue light goes out and it resets the pen (not the whole computer) instantly so you can begin work.

- Look on eBay and Craig’s List. My wife found mine on Craig’s List for much cheaper and it was barely used by some corporate guy who I don’t think was an artist. It works perfectly. Be careful, but keep an eye out for a good deal.
- I had a Windows Tablet PC for a day. It was neat, but the screen warped color horribly, it ran really hot, and kinda slow, and it wasn’t a Mac. Plus, the ModBook was only $700 more for a LOT better product.

If you have any other questions at all, feel free to post them in the comments.

UPDATE: Little update for anyone reading, my wife just got me another great gift that goes with the Modbook. It’s called the “IT” case: Intelligent Technologies IT Case for the Axiotron ModBook.

It straps over my shoulder and supports itself so that you can stand, walk, move about freely, and still keep working. Great for all-nighters (stand so you don’t fall asleep), meetings easily show the whole team and add to the project on the go, airplanes, film sets, etc.

It Case and the tablet glove, which is great for keeping grease off your tablet, free-flowing movements, and pretending to be a superhero or rock-star.

It ALSO flips over to turn into an easel that sits upright on a table or your lap. Then it flips closed to become a very secure, perfectly fit carrying case.

ModBook It Case in easel mode

Other Features:

. It has a thing rope that holds the Modbook pen so that it can never fall while being mobile.

. Has ventilation near the fans built into the case

. Storage pockets, nothing big, but works for nibs, maybe a comic book or two.

So, if you have the Axiotron Modbook (or any tablet or even a laptop) and you need to be mobile, be sure to pick this up, too. Says it retails for $109, but I don’t think my wife paid that much for it, since she’s the queen of deals. So, look around and you might find a good deal.

ABOUT RAY DILLON:

Ray has been an artist in comic books, movies, video games, and trading cards for nearly a decade. Ray works for companies like IDW Publshing, Image Comics, NBM Publshing, Lerner Publishing, Topps, Upperdeck, Scary Bits Films. He does this all from my home in Salina, Kansas with his wife, the lovely and talented comic book artist, Renae De Liz (The Last Unicorn), who has worked for IDW, Image, and Archie Comics. Ray and Renae were married at San Diego Comic-Con ‘09.  You will also find Ray’s artwork in Master Digital Color available from Impact Books.

Follow Ray on the web:
http://www.RayDillon.com | http://www.Twitter.com/RayDillon (Also on DeviantArt, Facebook, MySpace, ComicSpace, Blogger, etc. Just add ‘RayDillon’ at the end).  You will also find Ray Dillon’s videos on YouTube

You can also discover Renae’s work online. Renae is a gifted artist and purchased the ModBook for Ray as a Christmas gift, what a great wife!
http://www.GoldenGoatStudios.com/renae | http://www.Twitter.com/RenaeDeLiz

ModBook Video featuring Kody Chamberlain